Sand Dollars

(...)When John D. MacDonald, author of a dozen or more novels featuriing Travis McGee, died several years ago, he left legions of Travis fans mourning his loss. In Sand Dollars, Charles Knief brings us a Travis-like character in John Caine, private eye. Actually, this is his second appearance in what promises to be a series. Caine, like Travis, is intelligent, ideallistic (in his own unique way), observes a strict code of ethics, chooses his own private eye jobs, and resists becoming sexually involved with clients. And like Travis, Caine lives on his own boat, comparable to Travis' Busted Flush. That said, Sand Dollars is more or less your standard pot boiler. Caine kills a half-dozen or so bad guys, escapes from seemingly inescapable life-threatening situations, and in the end is triumphant over evil. Despite all this, or maybe because of all this, we look forward to more adventures of John Caine. Sand Dollars is entertaining reading and Caine an acceptable protagonist. He just isn't Travis McGee. But then, who is?

I just discovered Charles Knief's John Caine in "Diamond Head" and got to know him much better in "Sand Dollars" and I'm still a charged-up fan! Will start "Emerald Flash," the third in the saga of the ex-SEAL-turned-private-eye. My heart just breaks for Caine as he tries to get on with his life after losing his beloved boat and his girlfriend in the first book. In this second novel, he gets on with his life by getting involved in a stateside caper far from his home in Hawaii--but it's OK 'cause he needed to go to San Diego to buy a new boat anyway. What awaits him in California and the Baja is just one adventure and close-call after another. Man, I love this guy--he is so resilient and tough. I'm about to start the third novel featuring this flawed, but lovable hero. I almost hate to do it because I know that it's the last book about John Caine so far. Hurry up, Mr. Knief, and give me more!

I really enjoyed this "travis McGee" like story. It is great travel reading! Why does it take so long for the next installment??

This second novel by Charles Knief is so good that I cannot wait to read the first in the series, DIAMOND HEAD. John Caine, the protagonist, really is the reincarnation of Travis McGee. He's got everything but Miss Agnes, the old Rolls Royce. Knief really does know how to tell a tale, how to entertain. I inhaled the book in an otherwise busy weekend--it was that good. The action never stops, nor does Caine's, and Knief's, credibility. A superb read. Highly Recommended.